Drug dealer walks free to start rehab

AN illegal immigrant caught peddling drugs on the streets of Swindon has walked free from court.

Ramin Mohammadzadeh had hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis when he was stopped by police in Gorse Hill.

But after a judge was told he was now addressing his own use of the drug and was operating as a 'one man band' a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Pushpanjali Gohil, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how he was stopped in Ipswich Street on Sunday, February 9 for an unrelated matter. But he ran off and was chased by a PCSO and police officers and as he was being apprehended threw something into a bush.

When it was recovered it was found to be two clear plastic bags containing 18 wraps of the drug weighing 14.15g with a street value of about £400.

He also had £80 in cash on him and a mobile phone which rang continually while he was being dealt with by the police.

Miss Gohil said there were also numerous texts asking for drugs such as one reading ‘Looking for an ounce, cheers’.

She said he is currently an asylum seeker and as such was not able to work or claim benefits.

She said he had previous convictions for possessing cannabis and cocaine from April 2012 and December 2013 and a caution for being drunk and disorderly.

Mohammadzadeh, of Hinton Street, Gorse Hill, pleaded not guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply but was convicted by magistrates after a trial.

Richard Williams, defending, said: “This is a man who appears motivated to address his cannabis addiction. He has been a cannabis addict for about nine years.”

Passing sentence Judge Douglas Field said: “It was supply at low level to existing users at street level with drugs on you worth about £400.

“Looking at the guidelines this clearly crosses the custody threshold but having read about you in the pre-sentence report and your deep seated cannabis problem I am going to suspend the sentence.”

He imposed a six month jail term suspended for a year with 180 hours of community service and a drug rehabilitation requirement.